Many supporters called for Maurizio Sarri to play the Croat instead - but are they right?

Barkley has scored three goals and set up four in all competitoins this season, compared to Kovacic's single assist against Liverpool in the Premier League.

Stats also show the England ace has hit the target with 32 per cent of his shots - over double his team-mate's accuracy - with eight of his 25 attempts hitting the target, compared to just three out of 20.

"I achieved my dream of playing for Everton, from a young age I always dreamed of scoring for Everton.

"In my living room I always used to tell my mum 'one day I'll score for Everton' and when that happened it was unbelievable for me. I tried to achieve success there but sometimes these things happen in football."